the galileo observer - Galileo Academy of Science & Technology

THE GALILEOOBSERVERThe Official Newsletter of theGalileo Alumni Association“Communicate and Participate”Vol. VIII, No. 1 __________________January 2010_____________________President’s LetterJanuary 1, 2010Hello, fellow Lions. We wish you a very healthy and prosperous New Year. We arestarting 2010 with expectations of a very productive association.2009 was a trying year for us inasmuch as we were working with a Board of Directorsthat was not fully staffed. We mourned the passing of charter alumni directors, FrankClima and Kay Lazzari Michelis. The economy took its toll on membership renewalsand new members were tough to come by. Nevertheless, we were still able toparticipate and contribute to Galileo in a variety of ways. Generous contributions weremade to The Celestial Dragon Boat Team and The Pendulum. We actively participatedin the dedication of the newly installed sports field, appropriately named George White

Field. A contribution for the installation of a memorial plaque in Coach White’shonor was made along with a contribution from The Alumni Association Sports HallOf Fame. We also were honored to be asked to assist and participate in the dramadepartment’s production of city acclaimed “Lives In Motion” and to be judges in the65 th Annual Song And Yell Contest that again was won by the Senior Class.Moving into the New Year we will enjoy a full board of fifteen directors. We will havea great blend of experienced directors and an influx of new energetic alumni who arededicated to creating an association that will be a service to all its alumni and a benefitto all aspects of the Galileo Academy. To accomplish the many things we would like todo, we need to have strong alumni. We appreciate your membership renewal for 2010,and we request your participation by attending meetings, communicating with boardmembers with suggestions or requests and by attending social events or fund raisers.Our success is predicated by your involvement to communicate and participate.Lastly, I want to thank outgoing directors, Past President Jim Dresser, Secretary JanetNeilsen and Webmaster Vaughn Spurlin. Each of them has given us several years ofmeritorious service and pledge to continue to volunteer in other levels of theassociation.Dennis Eleen* * * * *HAPPY NEW YEARJanuary 2010, a new year, a new decade begins. As time moves forward renewingitself, membership in the G.A.A. must also be renewed. The mission of the AlumniAssociation of the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology can only be carriedout with your yearly donation. We rely on you, our members, to make it possible toproduce social events and fund raisers by contributing to and supporting our AlmaMater. A membership renewal of $25.00 is suggested, but any amount is graciouslyaccepted and is fully tax deductible. Please fill out the attached form or download aform from our website, http//:galileoweb.org/alumni, and send it in at your earliestconvenience. Your contribution and participation are essential for the success of theG.A.A. Our strength is in our alumni; our vitality is in your participation. Thankyou on behalf of Galileo Academy.G.A.A. Board of DirectorsDennis M. Eleen (’61)President______________________________________________________________________________________________

A Note from the EditorWe are constantly striving to improve the look of this newsletter. This issue marksthe start of our 8 th year of publication. You will notice a change in the mastheadabove. We have replaced the Lion’s head with a newer, bolder image. GalileoGalilei was a visionary, and we think this Lion fits better with his tenacity andintegrity.In the future we will make other changes, when necessary, in order to enhance yourreading experience. As always, we welcome your comments on the new Lion. --SDH______________________________________________________________________________________________Fundraiser for the Galileo Academy of Science & TechnologySenior Class of 2010Featuring Colette Ikemi - Singing Karen Carpenter's greatest hits&Members of The Pulse Band performing music from the 70sSaturday, January 30, 20107:30pm – 9:30pmGalileo Academy of Science & Technology Auditorium1150 Francisco StreetSan Francisco, CA 94109*Free Parking available at Fort Mason Center.Enter on Franklin and Bay Street*

Reservations: ● Advance Pre–Pay $15.00 ● At The Door $20.00Be sure to include your name, # of reservations ordered, e-mail orphone numberMake checks payable to: Galileo Class of 2010Mail to: Galileo Class of 2010c/o Lauren Choi-Dea1150 Francisco St.San Francisco, CA 94109Reservations will be held under your name at the doorThis fundraiser is tax deductible, tax ID#: 946000416If you have any questions, please contact us at purchasetributetickets@yahoo.comThrough The Telescope. . .by Sisvan Der HarootunianIt was good to see Mario Lechuga (’50) after 58 years. He is the newest member ofthe GAA board. Other newly- elected directors are Toni Alessandra (’64), CharleneFachner Mori (’66), Jesse E. Figueroa (’60), Lance Hughston (’66), BarbaraLaRocca (’69), and Lenore LaRocca (’64). For a list of all board directors, officersand chairpersons go to http//:galileoweb.org/alumni/contact. Lance flew out fromFlorida in November in order to vote at the board meeting, then flew right back.Now, that’s dedication!Eight years ago Ron Sligar (’52) attended his 50 th class reunion. There he met hishigh school sweetheart, Janet San Fillippo, and they got married. Now, that’s love!At the annual luncheon in December at Pompei’s Grotto, Joe Martino (’50) issued achallenge to all Galileans. He told me he has been married since graduation to PolaMassoni (’50), who was Student Body Vice President while he was President. Arethere any other couples out there with a similar record? Now, that’s lifetime love!Elise and Ralph Kazanjian live in the Fontana on Northpoint. From one side oftheir condo they see San Francisco Bay, the other side Galileo Academy. Now,that’s a view!

Beach Blanket Babylon is unquestionably San Francisco’s own greatest show.Another more recent attraction that has very long lines is the California Academy ofSciences in Golden Gate Park. See the Planetarium and 3D shows. They willengage your mind and imagination.“You would prosper in the field of medicine.” -- message in a fortune cookie atGolden Horse restaurant, on the former site of (Joe) Scafidi’s Market. How didthey know I was pre-med in college?Two trivia questions: 1) Where is Wyatt Earp buried? 2) Where is Orson Wellesburied? (answers at the end of this column).Quote of the sports season: “You can’t turn fame on and off.” – Jim Rome(referring to Tiger Woods). And, wouldn’t you know it, 2010 is the Chinese Year ofthe Tiger.As if noise pollution weren’t enough, now Muni buses announce senior/handicappedseating in three languages!How far we’ve come: Postal mail was to the Pony Express as email is to postal mail.Generation gap: Recently I asked a 20 something person for some information.When she gave it, I said “Thanks for the dope.” She thought I was thanking her fordrugs.Coincidences: My late best friend Ben Dito (’51) and I used to play a game calledcoincidences back in the 40s. Once I lost the tiny knob of my wristwatch on FilbertStreet. We re-traced our steps up the street, and I found the knob in a crack on thesidewalk – a needle in a haystack. Recently on a drizzly evening I went to dinner at1550 Hyde (that’s the name of the restaurant. It’s a few doors down from EdBelasco’s (’50) boyhood flat). Searching for a parking spot, the only space I foundwas directly (I mean directly) in front of 1720 Hyde Street, where I lived during myGalileo years. Now, that’s a coincidence.My heart goes out to the people of Haiti who have suffered horribly during the 7.0earthquake a few days ago.When I was in Port-au-Prince 40 years ago, I stayed at the Villa Creole, a hotel sospic and span you could fry an egg on the floor. Just outside, however, was the mostabject poverty I had ever seen – children wandering about completely nakedwithout even shoes or sandals. A few hundred yards away lived Dictator “PapaDoc” Duvalier in utter splendor.Frank Clima (’51) was honored posthumously as the San Francisco Italian AthleticClub’s 2009 Man of the Year at a dinner on November 14 th . He was certainly that.

Gone but not forgotten: Frank Clima Ray Piccinini, Kay Lazzari Michelis. Wewrote our tribute to Frank in the October issue. Ray entertained us at assembliesand shows in high school. He was the Easter Bunny for hundreds of hospitalizedkids. For his obituary, go to http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituaryprint.aspx?n=raymond-a-piccinini&pid=134039676.Kay was an active GAA boardmember who contributed much to the organization. She loved dining out, especiallyin North Beach restaurants. Her obituary can be found by going tohttp://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=136080865.3 Quotes: 1) “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds youplant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson. 2) “Today is the tomorrow you worried aboutyesterday.” – Dale Carnegie. 3) “Live your life so that you would not be ashamed tosell the family parrot to the town gossip.” – Will Rogers.Until next time, the observatory is closed.Answers to trivia questions: 1) Colma, CA. 2) On the estate of matador AntonioOrdonez in Ronda, Spain.______________________________________________________America’s Favorite SchoolGalileo Academy of Science & Technology was the 5 th place winnerof the "America's Favorite School" contest co-sponsored by Care2and Great Schools. The school was awarded $1,000. Thanks toeveryone who voted!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lions Football Team Wins BigCongratulations to Galileo’s varsity football team for winning the 86 th AnnualTurkey Bowl at Kezar Stadium on Thanksgiving Day. The team defeated Lincoln35-0. This was the 16 th Turkey Bowl championship for Galileo, the most wins inSan Francisco AAA history (see following article).Video coverage of the game:http://www.eenersports.com/EENER_Sports/Game_Highlights/Entries/2009/11/26_Highlights%3A__AAA_Champion_Crowned.html

* * *From Worst to First/From Zero to HeroesThanksgiving 2009 was the culmination of Galileo's Varsity Football Team"Cinderella Story," going from losing 18 games straight to coming back this seasonwinning the Turkey Day Championship against Lincoln, 35-0.This win marks Galileo's record setting 16th AAA/CIF San Francisco SectionCrown and their first win since 2001.Over 2,000 Galileo fans were at Kezar cheering for our Lions.Congratulations to the team and Head Coach Mark Huynh, Assistant Coaches DonHarris, Dominic Mullens and Ben Moore.See news video at http://cbs5.com/sportsJeanne YeePTSA Secretary____________________________________________________________________________________Galileo Gift GivingGalileo Academy now has an on-line store. If alumni want to buy gifts any timeduring the year, please visit www.cafepress.com/galileoacademy. All net proceedsgo directly to fund Galileo student activities. The on-line store manager is 2010senior, ASB Business Vice President, Ms. Jennifer Zhang.The above was submitted by Bruce Eng, Galileo PTSA, Cell 415-238-1975.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Mez Sezby Vince GomezOn July 28 ,2009 I was driving from my home in Mountain View to the Cazadero MusicCamp where I would be conducting the High School Orchestra for a week. On the way Ipassed by the town of Rio Nido, next to the Russian River. This brought back the memory of

the summer of 1951 when Ron Sligar, Mel Chiarenza and I went up the lazy river in Sligar’s‘37 Chevy and slept under the sign of the La Scala Inn. The Harry James big band played inthe town square that weekend. Ron, Mel and I were three of the five Sinners Vocal Group(Tom King and Al Marcucci were the other two). Every one in the group was over six feet tallexcept me at 5’3”. We sang at Galileo assemblies and some local service club meetings. Hardto believe that it was over 58 years ago.For the past 9 years I’ve been a San Francisco Giants ball dude at various games. Oneof these occasions was the night (April 21,2009) that the Filipino boxing star, MannyPacquiao, threw out the first ball. I met him before the game and I found out that he spoke thesame dialect of Cebuano that my mother spoke. A very soft-spoken guy but one who hasbecome the best boxer, pound for pound, in the world after defeating Oscar De La Hoya, RickyHatton, and Miguel Cotto. His upcoming match in 2010 with Floyd Mayweather should be aclassic battle. On August 7, 2009 I was the ball dude on the right field line and fellow Galileoalum Harry Holsworth was on the left field line. Two old Lions trying to help the Giants win,but former Giant manager Dusty Baker and his Cincinnati Reds won and beat Giants CyYoung winner Tim Lincecum on that evening.The dedication of the George White Football Field (the former Galileo High SchoolField ) on October 9, 2009 brought together the present Galileo student body with the family ofdeceased Coach George White ,many San Francisco School District members, San Francisco49ers representatives (who had donated $250,000 towards the renovation costs of a milliondollars) and members of the Galileo Sports Hall of Fame. This group included the following:John Bologna, Fred Setting, Al Massucco ,Jim Dresser,Pete Pompei, Sisvan Der Harootunian,Ron Sligar, Lawrence Bravo, Vince Gomez, Rudy Behar, and present Galileo baseball coachand teacher Don Papa. A week later at Caesar’s Restaurant was the annual Marina-NorthBeach reunion luncheon. Among others seen at the luncheon were Nick Valeri, MarioLombardi, Ed Belasco, Bob Gelardi, Hugo Giovannoni ,Al Bravo, Bill Dito, Ron Ertola andBernie Valdez. What a great pleasure to see so many old friends and catch up on what hashappened to us over the years.A film by Jenna Rosher called “Junior” happens to be about Galileo alum Ed Belascoand his mother. A special showing of this documentary film was held on October 26, 2009 atthe Roxie Theater in San Francisco. The small theater was filled to the 300 seat capacity.Many of Ed’s former classmates, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues from his theater groupwere in attendance. Many waited in a long line before the theater opened the doors for theshowing. Among those seen in the line were Cordy Porter Surdyka, Nina Pattini Clima,Carmela Lombardi Hoffman, John Lombardi, Mario Lombardi, Pete Pompei, HugoGiovannoni, Jim Dresser, Betty Grinnell, Bill Dito, Sisvan Der Harootunian and Ron Ertola.It was a hilarious and heartfelt portrait of a mother and son growing old together and was anofficial selection of the Woodstock Film Festival for 2009.The passing of former classmates is always a sad feeling. Frank Clima, Ray Piccininiand most recently Kay Lazzari Michelis have left us, but we remember the times we sharedwith them in high school and in adult life. Frank and I were on the1949 110’s basketball teamand we had only 5 guys on the team. If anybody fouled out we had to play with whoever wasleft. The others were Norman Marcelli, Vince Marcellino, and Alan Ceccanti. Ray and I werein a lot of Galileo shows and assemblies and he became the famous S.F. Easter Bunny. Kaycame to the Washington Square Bar and Grill on occasion when I was playing bass with jazzpianist Dick Fregulia. My sincere condolences to their loved ones.

Ed. Note: For photos of Galileo’s championship victory, the George White Field dedication,and GAA’s participation in the Columbus Day parade, go tohttp://galileoweb.org/alumni/events/archive-of-past-events/._______________________________________________________________________________________________AnnouncementsThe 40th Reunion for the Class of 1970 is in the works, coming in 2010.Planning has just started.All interested alumni or anyone with information on students orfaculty please contact:Gail (Chong) MegdadiNancy Yee(310) 804-7880 OR (510) 325-4350callmenjy@yahoo.comanhuda@aol.comWatch for GAA’s SpringFlingA Social Event For Family & Friends Coming ThisApril!(details to follow)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________SeasoningA new book by Tony Compagno (‘61)Tony Compagno’s collection of reminiscences and reflections may not bring anything newto the table, but his special brand of “seasoning” makes the familiar and seemingly prosaicdetails of our little lives more palatable. Working his way through the calendar year, theauthor offers vignettes revealing the rich interaction of husbands and wives, parents andchildren, teachers and students, people in general coming to terms with their vulnerabilityand humanness and sometimes stifled capacity for love. Depending primarily on humor,Compagno explores events surrounding traditional holidays such as Halloween andChristmas, and some obscure ones such as the birthday of Mickey Rooney or SadieHawkins Day. He looks at seasons of the year and what they add to (by extracting from) thehuman spirit. The book is one big celebration of the times of our lives, a feast wherein themost mundane meal becomes ambrosia.

Available in softcover from PublishAmerica –- $19.95. For further information, contact theauthor: ajcompagno@yahoo.com.Ed. Note: Tony guarantees Lions a good read. As for the future, Tony says, readers can lookforward to a collection of stories that should elicit memories of a time gone by._______________________________________________________________________________________________TravelNew Orleans SnapshotsA cool Monday morning in the French Quarter, which is three times larger thanNorth Beach . . . a multi-colored cat that is camouflaged among the antiques onRoyal Street greets me . . . the Monteleone Hotel where Hemingway, Faulkner,Capote, Tennessee Williams and Eudora Welty stayed. Its Carousel Bar is still anattraction. Five years after Katrina, the Quarter is undisturbed. The locals areproud of their undefeated football Saints, shouting “Ho, Ho, Ho, Ten and 0!” TheOmni Orleans which was The Royal Orleans, where I stayed on two consecutiveweekends over 40 years ago. The 7’5” doorman is gone. This was the hotel whereall the movie stars and celebrities stayed. Brennan’s -- one of the few trulyunforgettable meals I have had – poached salmon – the other being duck a l’orangeat Aventino in Caracas. Breakfast at Mother’s is as it always has been – authenticand generous and always a waiting line outside and inside (like The Pantry in L. A.).Old men reading books in their taxis, waiting for a fare outside the elegant WindsorCourt Hotel.The trolley through the Garden District, past Loyola and Tulane Universities andAnne Rice’s former house, to Commander’s Palace, the restaurant where EmerilLagasse and other noted chefs got their first start. A menu so large it wouldn’t fit inyour suitcase. On a previous visit, the wine manager took me on a tour of the winecellar and the entire restaurant, now owned by the Brennan family, and introducedme to Sonoma County’s Rochioli wines.Back to the Quarter – the Martin Lawrence Gallery, where I bought my originalPicasso several years ago. On Bourbon Street, a silver-coasted street man with asilver-coated alligator in his hand. The man is real, the alligator not. And thejazz . . . all that jazz! Coffee and beignets at Café du Monde. I bump into Brendawho owns her own fabulous Cajun restaurant on Polk Street in S. F. (she’s visitingfamily). We exchange notes on the best fried chicken and the best po’ boy sandwich.Oysters and more oysters on the half shell – “One dozen, please!” at Acme OysterHouse, another New Orleans institution where Curtis, the bartender, pours me anAbita draft and discusses sports intelligently. Thanksgiving at The Court of TwoSisters for the jazz brunch. Pat O’Brien’s – a Reba McEntire look-a-like playing akiller piano and singing Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc. in the U. S.’s #1 volumebar.

Out in the neighborhoods, Willie Mae’s Scotch House – the best fried chicken inAmerica (crispy outside, juicy inside) and turtle cheesecake with a decadentchocolate chip sauce. Black Friday and retailers go from red to black. The BayouClassic – The Big Easy comes alive with people. The lighting of the Harrah’sChristmas tree and the Miracle on Fulton Street. Saints Quarterback Drew Breesjoins Mayor Ray Nagin to pump up the crowd for their Super Bowl aspirations –free food and drinks courtesy of Harrah’s.The charm, friendliness and hospitality of the New Orleanians is unmatched. If youare not a friendly person when you arrive in New Orleans, you will be when youleave. -– SDH______________________________________________________________________________________________FoodA Mexican Vegetarian SandwichHere’s a sandwich I created to satisfy one’s hunger, yet it does not have a lot ofcalories. Between slices of whole grain bread, put a slice of cheese (cream cheesewill do), top it with nopalitos (canned and drained cactus strips) or avocado androasted red peppers, and enjoy! The red, white and green of the ingredientsrepresent the colors of the Mexican flag. Note: Try a tortilla wrap instead of thebread. -- SDH_______________________________________________________________________________________________GALILEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONAnnual Financial StatementJanuary 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009BALANCE FORWARD $12,747.08INCOMEMembership Donations (New) 405.00Membership Donations (Renewals) 2,450.00Bank Interest .43TOTAL INCOME $2,855.43

EXPENSESOffice Supplies - Postage/Stationery 1,257.80Fees – State of California 20.00Web-site 154.95Donation – Galileo Dragon Boat Team 500.00Donation – Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club (Clima) 50.00Donation – George White Plaque 500.00Football AD 100.00San Francisco Alumni Council (Dinner) 124.41Loan from Endowment Fund to Galileo for 1,000.00George White Plaque (per schools request)Re-payment to be made to GAA upon maturity of CD.TOTAL EXPENSES $3,707.16BALANCE as of 12/31/2008 $11,895.35Submitted by:Joe ScafidiTreasurer, GAA* * * * *GALILEO ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONAnnual Financial StatementSolari Endowment FundSOLARI ENDOWMENT FUNDFirst Republic BankRenewal date 06/06/2008 $16,582.61Interest 06/06/2008 – 12/29/2008 309.92Interest 12/30/2008 - 12 /07/2009 633.18CD Value as of 12/07/2009 $17,525.71

LETTERSHey everyone! I just realized it has almost been 50 years since I left Galileo, a wholelifetime,13 children and a wife, a teaching career and so much more. I live in NorthCarolina and raise horses now, but I keep up with "home" (SF) in this newsletter andthe internet. Opera season is starting and it looks like a great one there, I miss that.Two of my classmates are running for board positions . Keep sending me the e-mail.Happy Fleet Week! Oct 9, 2009 --John L Barker lebeaque@yahoo.comMy sister, Edith Gilbert nee Wiesinger, who would have graduated from Gallileo in 1935 ifmy family had not had the misfortune of moving to L.A. at the end of her junior year,passed away July 31st at the age of 91. Among her things are 5 copies of The Telescope,for years June 1932, June 1934, June 1933, December 1931 and December 1933. Wouldanyone like to have them? They have signatures of students and faculty of the period.--Margot Smithmargots999@aol.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS70s Pop Concert & Carpenters Tribute, Galileo Academy, 7:30 PM, Saturday,January 30, 2010GAA Board Meeting - Room 210, Galileo Academy, 6:30 PM, Thursday, February11, 2010****************************When checking for upcoming events between issues of the Observer, please visit theweb site http://galileoalumni.org/home.html for the most up-to-date listings._____________________________________________________ContributorsBruce EngVince GomezJeanne YeeThe OBSERVER Is For AllGalileo alumni, family, friends, students, faculty . . . anybody and everybody, the Observer isfor you. If you haven't already done so, send in the email addresses of anyone who would

like to receive a FREE emailed newsletter to http://galileoalumni.org/contact.html. We'dlike to reach as wide a range of readers as possible.BACK ISSUES OF THE GALILEO OBSERVER CAN BE VIEWED AThttp://galileoweb.org/alumni/newsletter/.For all EDITORIALLY-RELATED comments or suggestions, please addressyour emails to galileoobserver@aol.com.For all TECHNICAL problems (non-receipt of newsletter, etc.), address youremails to http://galileoalumni.org/contact.html.* * * *The Galileo Observer invites your articles, letters, memor, inquiries andsuggestions. All submissions are subject to editing. Deadlines for submissions areJanuary 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Send them by email (preferable) togalileoobserver@aol.com, or by postal mail to: Galileo Observer, c/o Galileo AlumniAssociation, 1150 Francisco Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.GAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, & COMMITTEE CHAIRSARE LISTED AT http://galileoweb.org/alumni/contact/The Galileo Observer is issued quarterly during the months of January, April, Julyand October by the Galileo Alumni Association, 1150 Francisco Street, SanFrancisco, CA 94109. Views expressed are strictly those of the Association and in noway reflect those of the Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, its students orfaculty. Dennis Eleen, President; Sisvan Der Harootunian, Editor; Vaughn Spurlin,Production Manager/Website Director. Copyright 2010, Galileo Alumni Association.Last updated January 2010 © 2002-2010 Galileo Academy of Science and Technology AlumniAssociation of San Francisco. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced inany form without the permission of The Galileo Observer and/or The Galileo AlumniAssociation.